Pharmacy codeine toolkit

NON-PROFIT medication misuse action group ScriptWise has launched a new toolkit for pharmacists, to help prepare for the rescheduling of codeine products to prescription-only from 01 Feb 2018.

The toolkit is being launched as part of the organisation’s Let's Get Candid about Codeine campaign, which will also comprise information for consumers and general practitioners.

“Pharmacists need to feel prepared and confident to start important conversations with their patients about alternative pain management options and treatment options for opioid painkiller dependence,” said Pene Wood, clinical pharmacy lecturer at LaTrobe University, who also features in the online toolkit. “The toolkit provides pharmacists with information on how they can help their patients recognise there are a variety of different therapies to effectively treat pain, many of which are non-pharmaceutical,” Wood said.

ScriptWise ceo Bee Mohamed cited recent studies showing more comprehensive education and training is needed for primary health care professionals in relation to the role of opioids.

“Codeine related deaths more than doubled in Australia between 2000 and 2009...we want to empower pharmacists, GPs and community members to use the rescheduling of codeine to start a conversation about more effective first line pain management alternatives to opioid painkillers,” she added.

The online pharmacist toolkit is available at scriptwise.org.au.